The next morning after dawn.

Having spent the entire night preparing his speech, Jiang Ziya came to the City Lord Mansion to seek an audience with Western Marquis Ji Chang.

By this time, Ji Chang was nearly sixty years old.

However, at this age in the Primordial World, it was a time of abundant strength, and his body showed no signs of aging. Barring any accidents, living another forty or fifty years would pose no problem.

Should a chance of immortality arise, like stumbling upon an Immortal Pill or Spirit Fruit and consuming it, ascending to heaven in broad daylight would be quite a common occurrence.

"Prime Minister, what brings you here so early in the morning?"

Ji Chang came out of the hall and curiously asked Jiang Ziya.

Jiang Ziya was straightforward and immediately explained the reasons for launching a military campaign against Shang.

Strike the iron while it's hot, speed is of the essence in warfare.

Take advantage of Shang's internal and external turmoil and the scattered morale of its people, and strike immediately!

After hearing this, Ji Chang fell silent.

He understood that what Jiang Ziya said made sense.

But he always felt it was too hasty.

Though Xi Qi had consecutive years of good harvests and the treasury was not lacking, how easy was it to gather the strength of the whole nation?

Moreover, even if we fight against Shang for supremacy, can we really win?

And even if we win, then what?

To occupy Central Plains?

What would the lords and commoners across the realm think of him?

A treacherous official!

Would other lords imitate this action?

After all, in the hearts of most lords, submitting to him might not necessarily be much better than being under Shang's rule.

Besides, there was a significant disparity in strength between the two sides.

Most of Xi Qi's key generals were defectors from Shang.

In terms of capabilities, Shang's were undoubtedly stronger.

Added to this were the forces of vassals under their command, Xi Qi had no advantage at all.

Now, to dispatch troops against Shang, the risk was indeed too great.

Who would triumph, he did not know.

However, he could be certain that even if Xi Qi won, the situation would not be much better than it was now.

But if they lost, Xi Qi would truly be beyond redemption.

"Prime Minister, I do not think it is a good time to dispatch troops against Shang," Ji Chang hesitated, then simply expressed his thoughts.

Hearing this, Jiang Ziya frowned and responded, "Marquis, I can understand your concerns, but do you think there will be a better timing to deploy troops?"

"Now that Shang's destiny is still strong and its military force robust, how can we in Xi Qi possibly have the strength to battle them openly?" Ji Chang earnestly said, "To fight against the many with the few, to rush into danger, this is not the act of the wise. One should plan with a broad view, we should not jeopardize the hard-earned capital we have accumulated for a momentary opportunity!"

After Jiang Ziya listened to him, he nodded and then smiled, "What the Marquis says is very true, but you must know, if we miss this opportunity, others might seize the initiative. By then, it will not be Great Zhou replacing Shang, but Great Huai!"

"Great Huai?"

Ji Chang was stunned for a moment but quickly realized.

"Are you referring to Linhuan Pass?"

"Exactly!" Jiang Ziya nodded slightly.

This was the most persuasive reason he could think of.

As long as Ji Chang harbored ambitions to become king, he believed his reasoning would undoubtedly persuade him.

Indeed, after hearing Jiang Ziya's words, Ji Chang began to hesitate again.

Yet, after pondering for a while, he still found it difficult to make a decision.

After all, dispatching troops against Shang was not a matter for a few individuals, but concerned the future of all Xi Qi and even that of Shang!

As the leader of the Western lords, every action he took had to be cautious, let alone such a matter concerning the survival of the nation!

"Prime Minister, please give me some more time to think this matter through carefully."

Hearing his response, Jiang Ziya knew there was still hope.

"Alright, then I will await the good news from the Marquis!" he said with a smile.

"Don't be too anxious, Prime Minister," Ji Chang waved his hand and said, "I need to think about this seriously, I'll give you an answer in a few days."

"That would be best," Jiang Ziya nodded and turned to leave.

After he left, Ji Chang immediately summoned Bo Yikao, Ji Fa, and others.

These were all his sons.

Among them, he valued his eldest son Bo Yikao and the second son Ji Fa the most.

"Come over here, I have something to ask you," Ji Chang said as he looked at them.

"Father Marquis, what are your orders?" Bo Yikao was the first to ask.

Ji Chang did not respond but straightforwardly said, "Jiang Ziya just came to me suggesting that I dispatch troops against Shang, what do you think?"

"Attack Shang?" Bo Yikao was startled and asked in confusion, "Why attack Shang?"

"That King of Shang, Di Xin, indulges in wine and meat forests, debauchery, created cruel punishments, recklessly kills his ministers, extorts wealth, and wants to build the Star-Picking Tower, causing unbearable suffering for the people…" Ji Chang casually listed some of Di Xin's atrocities, then said sternly, "Do you all understand now?"

"There are such things…" Bo Yikao, Ji Fa, and the others showed anger upon hearing this.

They had grown up in Xi Qi, lacking strong loyalty to Shang, and felt more aligned with Xi Qi.

The news they heard in Xi Qi had always been more positive than that from Shang.

People living in peace and contentment, and officials being clean and diligent.

In such a Xi Qi, they naturally identified more.

The legendary Shang had always had a layer of mystery to them.

But today, their father lightly revealed a corner, making them feel as if they had peered into the depths of hell.

"Such a tyrant deserves death by all, he indeed should be condemned!" Ji Fa stated firmly.

"Exactly, Father Marquis!" The others also chimed in agreement.

Only Bo Yikao remained silent, just quietly listening.

Ji Chang turned his head towards him and calmly asked, "Do you have a different opinion?"